Wine Ordering Basics — Just a Sniff, a Sip, and a Swallow Perhaps you’re comfortable ordering your “grande, nonfat, extra hot, wet cappuccino” every morning or having it your way every afternoon with your “hold
onions, hold bun, pickles on side, extra cheese cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce.” However, that doesn’t mean you’re exactly thrilled when it comes to ordering wine in a shi-shi restaurant. With just a little “how to” knowledge, you can start ordering wine with your head held high. It’s a good idea to keep reading because you might humiliate someone if you dare ask for a bottle of “2-Buck Chuck” on your next outing.
Choosing a Wine
By Glass or Bottle?
• It’s less expensive to get a bottle if two or more guests are having a couple glasses of wine.
• You’ll be much more limited in your selection when ordering by glass.
What Kind of Wine Do You Want?
• Decide on red versus white. That eliminates half list right away. • If ordering for a group of people, you might order a red AND a white bottle to satisfy a broader range of preferences.
What Are You Eating?
• Choose a wine that compliments your meal whether you’re having a steak or Caesar salad.
o Whites with lighter foods like grilled chicken or salads.
o Big reds with steaks or heavy red sauces.
o Lighter, fruitier reds with anything else.
• Connect your menu choice with a wine from same region, i.e., Rioja with tapas, Chianti with red-sauced Italian dishes, and so on.
How Much Do You Want to Spend?
• Know your approximate budget before you peruse wine list.
• Beware that house wines frequently have a high mark up for restaurant and usually not best values.
• If asking server for suggestions, try asking about a particular wine in price range you are considering. They will usually pick up on this clue and not suggest wines out of your budget.
Ask Your Server
• Don’t be afraid to ask for wine recommendations from your server.
• Some fine restaurants have a dedicated sommelier, (pronounced som-mel-yay), which is basically an on staff wine expert. Ask if you are unsure.
• Listen to their suggestions, but don’t be bullied into any decisions, especially if you feel they are simply pushing a high mark up wine or one too expensive for your budget.
• Inform server type of wine you are looking for, such as a heavy or fruity red, or an oaky or dry white.
The Serving Ritual After you have made your decision, server will serve wine in a ritual that may seem odd to novice wine drinkers. Here is process and what you need to do.
